Stamping machine



April 1965 R. L. MORISSON 3,180,574

STAMPING MACHINE Filed July 3, 1959 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 h? Q N a? &1 =3

April 27, 1965 R. L. MORISSON STAMPING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledJuly 3, 1959 April 27, 1965 R. L. MQRISSQN 3,180,574

April 27, 1965 R. L. MORISSON 3,180,574

STAMPING MACHINE Filed July 3, 1959 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 April 27, 1965 R.L. MORISSON 3,180,574

STAMPING MACHINE Filed July 3, 1959 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 April 27, 1965 R.L. MORISSON 3,130,574

STAMPING MACHINE Filed July 3, 1959 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 April 2 1965 R.MORISSON 3,180,574

STAMPING MACHINE Filed July 3, 1959 Fly. 73.

10 Sheets-Sheet 7 25 931 g i J April 27, 1965 R. L. MORISSON STAMPINGMACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed July 3, 1959 April 27, 1965 R. L.MORISSON STAMPING MACHINE Filed July 3, 1959 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 April 27,1965 R. MORISSON 3,180,574

STAMPING MACHINE Filed July 3, 1959 l0 Sheets-Sheet l0 INVENTQR R0 GERLOUIS MORISSON United States Patent 3,180,574 STAlVlPING MACHINE RogerLouis Morisson, Bondy, France, assignor to Societe pourlAfiranchissement et le Timbrage Automatiques S.A.T.A.S., Paris, FranceFiled July 3, 1959, Ser. No. 827,986 Claims priority, applicationFrance, Sept. 25, 1958, 775 303 9 Claims. (a. 235-101 with the positionof the corresponding embossed printing roller. I

The stamping machine described and shown in the following specificationaffords the following advantages:

(a) Positive operative connection of the embossed printing rollers withthe selection devices,

(b) Carrying forward on to the totalization device of the selectedvalues before printing said values on a document,

(c) Locking the machine if no document is introduced on to its plate. I

The invention also applies to the characteristicshereinafter describedandto their various possible combinations.

A stamping machine according to the invention is shown by way ofnon-restrictive examples in the attached drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a general diagram of the machine showing the relationsbetween the devices for selecting values and the embossed printingrollers, and between the embossed printing rollers and the totalizationdevices;

FIGURE 2 is an external side view of the machine;

FIGURE 3 is an external top view of the machine shown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a diagrammatical view of the locking device of the crankensuring the drive of the rotary head of the machine; 7

FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatical view of the locking device of FIGURE 4, thelinkage system being shown in the position occupied when no document hasbeen introduced into the machine;

FIGURE 6 is a diagrammatical view similar to that of FIGURE 5, thelinkage system being shown in the position occupied when a document isintroduced on the plate of the stamping machine;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken generally along radial lines inFIGURE 8;

FIGURE 8 is a front view of a plate shown edgewise in FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a front view of a carrying-forward tooth shown edgewise inFIGURE 7;

FIGURE 10 is a front view of a selection lever shown edgewise in FIGURE7;

FIGURE 11 is a front view of the ring shown edgewise in FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 12 is a front view of the double-toothed disk shown edgewise inFIGURE 7;

FIGURE 13 is a front view of the device for locking the embossedprinting rollers;

FIGURE 14 is a side view of the device of FIGURE 13;

FIGURE 15 is a side view of the mounting of the publicity unit on therotary head of the machine;

FIGURE 16 is a left-hand view of FIGURE 15;

FIGURE 17 is a front view of the mounting of the pressure roller of themobile abutment and the ejector of the machine;

FIGURE 18 is a top view of FIGURE 17;

FIGURE 19 is a longitudinal sectional view of the rotary head of themachine, with some parts shown diagrammatically.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the stamping machine comprises essentially arotary head 5, driven by a spindle 4 carrying a pinion 3 at one endwhich cooperates with an intermediate pinion 2 driven by the pinion 51of a hand crank 1.

The rotary head 5 (see FIGURE 19) which is shown in dash and dottedlines in FIGURE 1, comprises the valve selection devices 38, 12 12 12 77 and 7 the gear trains 8 8 8 9 9 9 which transmit the values, theprinting rollers 10-33-34 and the locking device 44 for preventing amodification of the printing value during the rotation of the rotaryhead 5. The assembly of these devices forming the rotary head 5 revolvesaround the spindle 4, during the printing of a document. As shown inFIGURE 1, there are positioned outside of this rotary head 5 and locatedparallel to its axis totalizing rollers 14 14 14 and 15, as well as theposition finder wheels 6 6 and 6 These totalization rollers and positionfinder wheels are in constant mechanical engagement with the rotaryhead, as will be more fully described in the rest of the description.

The stamping machine is provided with a locking device, enabling therotation of the rotary head 5 to occur by operation of the handcrank 1,provided there is a document placed on the plate 4%) of the machine, inthe utilization position. The hand crank 1 is turned once to revolve therotary head 5. one revolution, and during this operation the document isstamped and ejected from the machine. Then the hand crank isautomatically locked against further rotation until another document isplaced on the plate or tray 4t) of the machine.

The locking device is more particularly shown in FIG- URES 4 to 6. Itessentially comprises a feeler 23 whose head 23 can engage in a slot 40in the plate 40.

This feeler 23 is connected by a linkage system 22, 21, 29 to a stoplever 28 cooperating with a cam 32 integral with the rotatable shaft 1of the hand crank 1.

The linkage system assembly 29, 21, 22 is pivotally mounted at two fixedpoints 36 and 27 and its displacements are controlled by two springs 30and 25 mounted on fixed points 26 and 31.

On the other hand, the cam 32 integral with the spindle 1 of the crank 1has a cut-away part 32 on to which the end 28 of the stop lever 28bears; thus, when the lever 1 moves throguh the angle a (FIGURE 4) thecam 32 driven by the displacement of the crank 1 moves until its spur 32abuts against the end 28 of the lever 28 which stops the rotation of thecam 32.

When a document 35 (FIGURE 6) is introduced on the plate of the stampingmachine and the user turns the crank 1 in the direction of the arrow F,a cam 20 inte gral with the spindle 1 of the crank moves the end 21 of alever 21 pivoted at C on a small plate 22 connected to the feeler 23.

The end 23 of the feeler 23 then abuts on the document 35, such as aletter placed on the plate 49, with the result that said feeler 23becomes a fixed point, and as the roller 21 continues its movement underthe eitect of the cam 20, the small connecting link 29 shifts the lever28, which, by pivoting around its axle 3-5, releases its hooked end 28from the recess 32 in the cam 32.

Under the action of the as a result of this, rotary movement, the shaft1 will act through the pinions 2 and 3 to cause the'rotation of therotary head 5. p

Thus, the locking device only permits the rotation of the rotary head 5when a document is placed on'the tray 40 of the stamping machine andstops the initial displacement of the feeler 23 during the displacementor of the crank 1.

This position finder 6 shows the value correspondin to the position ofeach selection lever 38..

The selection of the values that the user wishes to print on thedocument 35 by means of the embossed printing rollers is effected in theknown manner by a plurality of Ohdner disks 12 I2 and 12 each of whichis secured to the shaft 4 for rotation therewith. As shown in FIG- URES7 and 8, each of the Ohdner disks essentially comprise a plate 12 and adisk lever 38 (FIGURE 10) for selecting values. To each of these leverdisks 38, a disk 7 (FIGURE 12) is attached preferably comprising doubleteeth, shown as internal and external gear teeth.

The'plate 12 of the Ohdner disk, as shown more especially in FIGURE 8,comprises radial grooves 12 in which teeth 41 can move, whose heads 41,engage in a groove 38 (FIGURE 10) of the value selection lever 38.

On the other hand, the plate 12 comprises a radial groove 12 in whichengages a carrying-forward tooth 42 (FIGURE 9), whose carrying-forwardoperation will be referred to farther on.

Lastly, the plate 12 also comprises a longitudinal bore 12 acting as ahousing for the head 8 of a pinion 8 said pinion providing a positiveoperative connection between the value selecting device and the embossedprinting rollers 10. Y

The value selecting lever 38 (FIGURE 10) essentially comprises a spur 33(or pin) which projects out of the casing 37 of the machine through aslot 37 (FIGURE 3) which enables the user, by acting on this pin, todisplace the selectiondisk 38 atwill, and hence, the embossed printingrollers 10. During revolution of the rotary head 5, the ends 33 of thevalue-selection levers 38 clear the ends of the slots 37 in the casing37.

The displacement of the pin 38 (FIGURES 2 and 3) takes place preferablyin front of guide marks 37 made on the casing 37 of the machine andshowing the position of the disk 38, and consequently, the position ofthe embossed printing rollers 10.

The value selecting disk 38 (FIGURE 10) comprises an arcuate groove 38.,made in two parts having different radii, the two parts of this groovebeing united by a transversal inclined groove portion.

As shown in FIGURE 10, when the head dll of the tooth 41 is in the partof the groove 38 possessing the smallest radius, the tooth is completelyetfaced inside the plate 12, Whereas, when the lever 38 impels the headof the tooth 41 and brings the latter into the part of the groove with alarger radius the tooth 41 partially emerges from the plate 12. y i

The value selecting lever 38 (FIGURE 10) is provided on part of itsinternal periphery with V shaped notches or clearances 38 in one ofwhich a spring biased needle (not shown) is engaged, said needle movingin a radial bore I2 of the plate 12.

The purpose of the spring-biased detent is to hold the position of theselection lever 38 and prevent it from moving under the effect of aninvolutary movement on the part of the user.

The clearances 38 are, however, so made as to enable the needle to passeasily from one to another of said clearances; they also correspond tothe positions inwhich the control pin 38 is found to be in alignmentwith the guide marks 37 (FIGURE 3) provided on the casing 37.

The value select-ing device also comprises a double toothed disk 7,which is made integral with the value secrank 1, the shaft 1 integralwith the cam 32 will thus turn beyond the angle at, and

d lecting lever 38 by fixing means such as screws cooperat-- ing withthe screw holes 7 in the double toothed disk and with screw holes 38 ofthe value selecting lever 38.

As shown in FIGURE 7, a ring 43 provided with holes 43 is placed betweenthe value selecting lever 38 and the double toothed disk 7, enabling thepassage of the fixing means connecting the value selecting lever 38 withthe double toothed disk 7.

When the user operates the pin 38 (FIGURES 2, 3 and 10) of the valueselecting lever 38, at the same time he moves the double toothed disk 7and brings out a number of teeth 41 corresponding to the value that hewishes to have printed by each embossed printing roller.

The selecting of values thus has the purpose of bringing out a certainnumber of teeth 41 of the plate 12 and to carry forward the valueselected on the printing device, i.e., on the embossed printing rollers10, and when the machine is fitted with a position finder, on theserrated wheels 6 of the latter.

The rotation of the double-toothed disk 7 involves, by external teeth7,, of the latter, the rotation of the serrated wheels 6 of the positionfinder and by its internal teeth 7,, the rotation of the pinions 11integral with the em bossed rollers 10 of the printing device.

In the form of embodiment shown, the value selecting devices (FIGURE 7)are three in'number, i.e., allowing in a decimal system the obtaining ofvalues from 0 to 999;

To each plate 12 112 12 there corresponds a serrated wheel of theposition finder 6 6 6 an embossed roller I0 I0 10 of theprinting deviceand a serrated wheel 14 14 14 of the'totalization device.

The liasion between each double toothed disk '7 and each pinion l1integral with a roller 10 of the printing device is preferably effectedby a set of pinions 8, 9' (FIG URE 1).

These sets of pinions 8, 9 are composed, in the example described andshown, by telescopic tubes 8 8 8 and 9 9 9 the end pinion 8 for exampleof the telescopic tube 8 driving by the pinion 8 of its other end, thepinion 9 of the tube 9 which, by the pinion 9 of its other end, drivesthe pinion 11 integral with the embossed printing roller 10 On the otherhand, the teeth 41 of the plate 12 of the Ohdner disk mesh with thepinions 13 each integral with a serrated wheel 14 of the totalizationunit.

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention as shown, thetotalization unit comprises three serrated wheels 14 14 14 whoserotation is directly transmitted by the rotation of the plates 12 of theselection device.

However, as shown in FIGURE 1, the totalization device also comprisesserrated wheels 15 giving, in the decimal system, the totalization ofthousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands and millions. Thecarrying forward of the values of the unit serrated wheel 14;, to theserrated wheel of the tens I4 and from the serrated wheel of the tens 14to the serrated wheel of the hundreds 14 is effected in the known mannerby means of a device called a quadrant 17 17 whereas the carryingforward of the hundreds serrated wheel 14 to the serrated wheel of thethousands and from the serrated wheel of the thousands to the serratedwheel of the tens of thousands, etc.; is effected by difierentialpinions 15. v

The device called a quadrant consists of a metal plate 17 17 (see FIGUREI) mounted on the totalizer spindle. One quadrant 17 cooperates with thehundreds roller 14 the other quadrant 17 cooperates with the tens roller14 These quadrants are displaced in a manner known in the art by meansofa catch or a cam at each revolution of the respective lower rangeroller, that is to say, that the quadrant 17 is actuated by the unitsrollers 14 of the totalizer, whereas the quadrant 17 is actuated by thetens roller I4 Thus, at each revolution of these rollers 14 14 thequadrants approach the disks 12, of the selection levers correspondingtothe tens or hundreds.

When the roller 14 of the units has made one revolution, or rather whenthis roller after having recorded the numeral 9 passes again to thenumeral 0, then a catch or cam displaces the quadrant 17 so as to put itin the path that should be taken by the carrying-over finger 42 of thetens disk 12 v The quadrant 17 then displaces this finger 42 and placesit in the plane of the teeth 41 of the tens disk 12 thus in effectadding one more projecting tooth in the tens disk. The tens roller 14will thus totalize not only the figure of the tens selected by the disk12 but also the supplementary ten resulting from the carrying over ofthe figures of the units.

The same operation takes place between the tens rollers 14 and thehundreds roller 14 by means of the quadrant 17 Moreover, in addition tothe embossed printing rollers of the printing unit, the rotary head 5comprises a dating device 34, whose serrated wheels can, for example, bepositioned by a means such as a stylet.

Lastly, the rotary head 5 of the stamping machine is provided with apublicity unit 33 mounted in a removable manner on the rotary head bymeans of a device such as a support 46 (FIGURES l5 and 16). This support46 is made in the form of an angle-iron and has elongated clearances 4646 enabling the displacement of said support 46 in relation to therotary head 5.

The clearances 46 act as housings for the devices fixing the supportonto the rotary head 5.

Onthe other hand, the support 46 is provided with a roller 4? rolling ona cam 47, which is provided with an adjustment means enabling the userto place the publicity unit 33 either level with the embossed printingrollers 10 and the serrated wheels of the dating device 34, thusaffording the common printing of these three devices, or at a levellower than the embossed printing rollers 10 and serrated wheels of thedating device 34, thus only effecting the printing of the values carriedforward by the embossed printing rollers and the printing of the datingdevice 34.

The cam 47 is connected to a barrel 48 sliding on the part 4 of thespindle 4 around which the rotary head 5 Y revolves, this barrel beingconnected by a lever to an operating knob (FIGURE 2) 39 moving in anarcuate opening 37 formed in the casing 37 of the machine. The user, byoperating the knob 39, determines the rotary position of the cam 47 andthus enables the displacement of the support 46 which tends to bewithdrawn out of operation by the action of the springs 56, which tendto retract the publicity unit 33 below the level of the embossedprinting rollers 1i and the serrated wheels of the dating device 34.

The stamping machine according to the invention is also provided with alocking device (FIGURES 1 3 and 14) ensuring the maintaining of therollers 10 of the printing device in the selection position eifected bythe user when actually printing the document 35 by said cm bossedprinting rollers 10 (FIGURES l3 and 14).

This locking device essentially comprises a stirrup 44 whoselongitudinal locking bar 44 comes between the teeth of the pinions 9 ofthe set of pinions connecting the .double toothed disks 7 to therespective pinions 11 integral with the embossed printing rollers 10.

The stirrup 44 is mounted in the rotary head 5 on a spindle parallel tothe spindle 4 of the rotary head 5.

On this spindle 4 there is also mounted a cam 64 provided with a recessor clearance 64 said cam enabling, in a given position, the engaging inthe clearance 64 of a roller 63 connected to the stirrup 44. The stirrup44 is in constant unbalance, that is to say, the weight of the armcomprising the catch 44 is greater than the weight of the arm comprisingthe roller 63. On this account,

thecatch 44 constantly tends to come out of the teeth of actuallycorresponds to the inactive position of the stamping machine, i.e.,corresponds to the value selection position. For every other position(during the rotation of the rotary head) the roller 63 abuts on theperiphery of the cam 64 which thus keeps the catch 44 in engagement withthe teeth of the pinions 9 and prevents any alteration of the values tobe printed during operation.

Lastly, the stamping machine is provided, as shown in FIGURES 17 and 18:

(a) With a device permitting the application of the document to bestamped 35 against the embossed printing rollers, the date-stampingdevice 34 and the publicity unit 33;

(b) With a device for ejecting the document after it has been printed;

(c) With an abutment which positions the document 35' before printingand which retracts when printing takes place.

The device permitting the application of the document 35 against therollers 10, the serrated wheels of the dating device 34 and possibly thepublicity unit 33, essentially comprises a pressure roller 62 (FIGURE18) made in one or several parts, said pressure roller being mounted atthe end of the levers 55 pivoting around a spindle 56.

These levers 55 cooperate by means such as rollers with came 59 mountedon a cam shaft 60. These cams 59 are so shaped that the document 35introduced on to the tray 4%) of the stamping machine is raised by thepressure roller 62 at the moment when the printing devices come intocooperation with said document 35, thus applying this document againstthe printing devices.

When printing has been accomplished, the pressure roller 62, will, bymeans of cams 59, rollers and the levers 55, be thrust into a retractedposition shown by a dotted line in FIGURE 17 then tightening a spring58, which always tends to bring the pressure roller 62 to its highposition.

The ejection device for the printed document, consists of a plate 52provided with a flange 52 forming the ejector itself. This plate isplaced underneath the table 46 on which is received the document to beprinted, and the flange 52 projects above the upper face of this table.Thus, by actuating the ejector 52 by a sharp movement in the directionof N-N', the document on the table 4%? is ejected in a directionparallel to the axis of the rotary head.

This ejector 52 is connected with a shaft 52 as shown in FIGURE 17 bymeans of a tongue 52 and the shaft 52 is itself connected at its end tothe bottom part of the lever 53. This lever 53 is articulated at 53 anda spring (not shown) hooked at 53 to this lever 53 constantly tends toattract the lower part of the lever 53 and thus the spindle 52 and theejector 52 in the direction N-N.

The upper end of the lever 53 comprising an edge 53 is mounted near to acam 54 including a recess 54 The spring hooked at 53 on to the lever 53thus tends constantly to press the flange 53 against the cam 54.

During the rotation of the rotary head 5 and after the printing roller19 has printed the document (see P G- URE 17), the upper flange 53 ofthe lever 53 falls sharply into the recess 54 of the cam 54, which hasthe effect of suddenly advancing the ejection plate 52 in the directionN-N' and thus to eject the document on the table 49 in contact with theflange 52 This ejection thus takes place along a course perpendicular tothe course according to which it had been introduced into the stampingmachine.

The stamping machine also comprises a mobile abutment device determiningthe positioning of the document 35 on the tray 4%? of the machine beforethe printing of said document, this mobile abutment 57 also cooperating,like the pressure device, with a cam 61 mounted on the cam shaft 60. Thecam 61 is so made that the mobile abutment 5'7 retracts just before thecooperation of the printing devices with the document to be printed 35.

When printing, the rotary head then conveys the document 35 along acourse prolonging its course of introduction into the machine, thisdocument 35 then abutting, after printing, against a rim of the tray ltland the rotary head 5 while continuing its movement towards the cam 54which control the ejection of said document.

SUCCESSIVE STEPS OF OPERATION INA UTILIZATION CYCLE OF THE MACHINE (1)Selection of values The user positions the levers 38 according to thetotal value to be obtained.

This operation entails the exit of n teeth 41 from each plate 112corresponding to the position of each value selection lever 38.

At the same time, this operation involves the rotation of the doubletoothed disk and consequently the putting into concordance with theselection device:

(a) Of the serrated wheels of the position finder 6, (b) The embossedprinting rollers It (II) Introducing the document into the machine Thedocument stops against the mobile abutment 57. The pressure rollers arethen in the bottom position.

(111) Action on the crank (l) The feeler comes into contact with thedocument and releases the locking device of the crank, thus enabling thedrive by the latter of the rotary head 5.

tionless with respect to the rotary head 5 in their previously preparedpositions and their locking owing to their liaison with the selectionlevers also renders the latter motionless.

(3) The rotary head continuing its movement, the teeth 41 of each Ohdnerdisk drive the corresponding pinions 13 of the totalizator. The value tobe stamped is thus carried on to the totalizator before the stampingofthe document.

(4) The printing devices run over an inking roller, as the rotary head 5continues its movement.

(5 The mobile abutment 5'7 retracts.

(6) The pressure roller rises and puts the document into contact withthe printing devices.

(7) Printing:

Of the value carried by the embossed printing rollers; Of the plate ofthe dating device; Possibly, of the publicity unit.

The rotary head by continuing its movement causes the displacement ofthe document by the printing devices. V (8) The pressure rollerretracts.

(IV) Ejection The rotary head continuing its movement, the ejectiondevice driven by the cam 54 sends the document along a courseperpendicular to its entry course into the machine.

The rotary head still continuing its movemenn'involves the followingdisplacements:

Rising again of the mobile abutment,

Recocking the ejector,

Its self-locking owing to the fact that there is no longer a document onthe tray of the machine.

(2) The embossed printing rollers are then held mo- 8 pinions mounted insaid rotatable head, said trains of pinions having axes parallel to theaxis of said rotatable head, each said train of pinions establishingapositive constant mechanical drive relationship between a respectime oneof said value-selection devices and one of said printing wheels, atotalizing assembly'mounted in the machine outside of the rotatable headand comprising a plurality of counting wheels mounted on axes parallelto the axis of the rotatable head, these counting wheels being inconstant mechanical drive relationship with the valueselection devices,and a locking device for printing wheels, said locking device beinglocated inside of said rotatable head and comprising a stirrup rockablymounted in the rotatable'head on a spindle extending parallel to theaxis of said rotary head, and means for engaging said stirrup with thepinions of said trains for locking the printing wheels against rotationduring the rotation of said rotatable head, said printing wheelsprojecting slightly beyond the perimeter of said rotatable head forprinting a document adjacent to said head during rotation of said head.

2. A stamping machine as'claimed in claim 1' wherein said rotatable headis positioned in an inactive position when said value-selection devicesare being operated and said means for engaging said stirrup with saidpinions includes an actuating roller connected to said stirrup, and afixed cam mounted coaxial with the axis of said rotatable head andhaving a recess therein, said roller being in engagement with said camduring rotation of said head for holding said stirrup in lockingengagement with said pinions and said roller entering said recess whensaid head is in its inactive position for releasing said stirrup fromsaid pinions for releasing the trains of pinions for rotation in saidhead.

3. A stamping machine as claimed in claim 1 and including a shaftmounted outside of the rotatable head and extending parallel with theaxis of said rotatable head, a lever pivotally mounted on said shaft, apressure roller extending parallel with said axis and being supported onsaid lever for movement toward and away from said rotary head, springmeans connected to said .lever for urging said pressure roller towardsaid head for applying a document to be printed against said printingwheels, and rotatable cam means for moving said lever away from saidhead after the document has been printed.

4. A stamping machine for stamping documents,'and

the like inserted therein comprising a rotatable head mounted in saidrotatable head, said trains of pinions having axes parallel to said mainaxis, each said train of opinions establishing a positive constantmechanical drive relationship between a respective one of saidvalueselection devices and a respective one of said printing wheels, atotalizing assembly mounted in the machine outside of the rotatablehead-and comprising a plurality of counting wheels mounted on axesparallel to the axis of the rotatable head, said counting wheels beingin constant mechanical drive relationship with said valueselectiondevices, a locking device for the printing wheels located inside of saidrotatable head and comprising a stirrup rockably mounted in therotatable head on a spindle extending parallel to said main axis andmeans for engaging said stirrup with the pinions of said trains forlocking the printing wheels and value selection devices against rotationduring-the rotation of said rotatable head, a support retractablymounted in saidhead, a publicity printing block on said support on thesame side of said head as said printing wheels, said support having aroller secured thereto, a control cam engaging said roller for extendingand retracting said publicity block during rotation of said head, and amounting for said cam for holding said cam aligned with said main axis.

5. A stamping machine as claimed in claim 4 and wherein said mountingfor the publicity block control cam includes a tubular barrelsurrounding the main axis and adjustable about said main axis, and alever secured to said barrel for adjusting the position of said cam.

6. A stamping machine for stamping documents, and the like, insertedtherein comprising a tray for receiving the documents thereon, arotatable head including a main spindle mounted in the machine for therotation of said head about said main spindle, a plurality of rotatableprinting wheels mounted in said rotatable head, said printing wheelshaving axes of rotation parallel to said main spindle, a plurality of.value-selection devices rotatably mounted in said head for selection ofvalues for the printing wheels, said value-selection devices beingmounted coaxially to said main spindle, a plurality of trains ofrotatable pinions mounted in said rotatable head, said trains of pinionshaving axes parallel to said main spindle, each said train of pinionsestablishing a positive constant mechanical drive relationship between arespective one of said value-selection devices and a respective one ofsaid printing wheels, a totalizing assembly mounted in the machineoutside of the rotatable head and comprising a plurality of countingwheels mounted on axes parallel to the main spindle of the rotatablehead, said counting wheels being in constant mechanical driverelationship with said value-selection devices, a locking device for theprinting wheels located inside of said rotatable head and comprising astirrup rockably mounted in the rotatable head on a spindle extendingparallel to said main spindle and means for engaging said stirrup withthe pinions of said trains for locking the printing wheels andvalue-selection devices against rotation during the rotation of saidrotatable head, a pressure roller outside of said rotatable head andadjacent to said tray, means for actuating said roller for applying thedocument to be printed against said printing wheels, and a shaft outsideof said head and beneath said tray, and a stirrup movably mounted onsaid shaft for positioning documents on the tray to be printed.

7. A stamping machine as claimed in claim 6 and wherein said stampingmachine includes an automatic ejection device for ejecting the documentsfollowing printing comprising a cam mounted on the main spindle of therotatable head including an abrupt recess therein at a predeterminedposition, an ejection element adjacent to said tray, and a leverconnected to said ejection element and engaging said cam for ejectingthe document when said lever moves abruptly into said recess.

8. A stamping machine as claimed in claim 6 and including a hand crankhaving a shaft connected to the main spindle for rotating said rotatablehead, and a locking device for preventing the hand crank from operatingthe machine in the absence of a document on the tray comprising firstand second cams mounted on the spindle of the hand crank, a stop leverfor engaging said first cam, a rocking lever engaging said second cam, afeeler element connected to said rocking lever and operated thereby forsensing the presence of a document on said tray, and a linkageconnecting said stop lever and said rocking lever for withholding saidstop lever from said first cam in the presence of a document and forreleasing said stop lever into engagement with said first cam in theabsence of a document.

9. A stamping machine comprising a rotatable head mounted in the machinefor the rotation of said head about its axis, a plurality of rotatableprinting wheels mounted in said rotatable head, said printing wheelshaving axes of rotation parallel to the axis of said rotatable head, aplurality of rotatable value-selection devices for selection of valuesfor the printing wheels, said valueselection devices being mountedcoaxially to the axis of the rotatable head, a plurality of trains ofrotatable pinions mounted in said rotatable head, said trains of pinionshaving axes parallel to the axis of said rotatable head, each said trainof pinions establishing a positive constant mechanical driverelationship between a respective one of said value-selection devicesand one of said printing Wheels, and a locking device for the printingwheels, said locking device being located inside of said rotatable headand comprising a stirrup rockably mounted in the rotatable head on aspindle extending parallel to the axis of said rotary head, and meansfor engaging said stirrup with the pinions of said trains for lockingthe printing wheels against rotation during the rotation of saidrotatable head, said printing wheels projecting slightly be yond theperimeter of said rotatable head for printing a document adjacent tosaid head during rotation of said head.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS LEO SMILOW,Primary Examiner, A. BERLIN, Examiner

1. A STAMPING MACHINE COMPRISING A ROTATABLE HEAD MOUNTED IN THE MACHINEFOR THE ROTATION OF SAID HEAD ABOUT ITS AXIS, A PLURALITY OF ROTATABLEPRINTING WHEELS MOUNTED IN SAID ROTATABLE HEAD, SAID PRINTING WHEELSHAVING AXES OF ROTATION PARALLEL TO THE AXIS OF SAID ROTATABLE HEAD, APLURALITY OF ROTATABLE VALUE-SELECTION DEVICES FOR SELECTION OF VALUESFOR THE PRINTING WHEELS, SAID VALUESELECTION DEVICES BEING MOUNTEDCOAXIALLY TO THE AXIS OF THE ROTATABLE HEAD, A PLURALITY OF TRAINS OFROTATABLE PINIONS MOUNTED IN SAID ROTATABLE HEAD, SAID TRAINS OF PINIONSHAVING AXES PARALLEL TO THE AXIS OF SAID ROTATABLE HEAD, EACH SAID TRAINOF PINIONS ESTABLISHING A POSITIVE CONSTANT MECHANICAL DRIVERELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A RESPECTIVE ONE OF SAID VALUE-SELECTION DEVICESAND ONE OF SAID PRINTING WHEELS, A TOTALIZING ASSEMBLY MOUNTED IN THEMACHINE OUTSIDE OF THE ROTATABLE HEAD AND COMPRISING A PLURALITY OFCOUNTING WHEELS MOUNTED ON AXES PARALLEL TO THE AXIS OF THE ROTATABLEHEAD, THESE COUNTING WHEELS BEING IN CONSTANT MECHANICAL DRIVERELATIONSHIP WITH THE VALUESELECTION DEVICES, AND A LOCKING DEVICE FORPRINTING WHEELS, SAID LOCKING DEVICE BEING LOCATED INSIDE OF SAIDROTATABLE HEAD AND COMPRISING A STIRRUP ROCKABLY MOUNTED IN THEROTATABLE HEAD ON A SPINDLE EXTENDING PARALLEL TO THE AXIS OF SAIDROTARY HEAD, AND MEANS FOR ENGAGING SAID STIRRUP WITH THE PINIONS OFSAID TRAINS FOR LOCKING THE PRINTING WHEELS AGAINST ROTATION DURING THEROTATION OF SAID ROTATABLE HEAD, SAID PRINTING WHEELS PROJECTINGSLIGHTLY BEYOND THE PERIMETER OF SAID ROTATABLE HEAD FOR PRINTING ADOCUMENT ADJACENT TO SAID HEAD DURING ROTATION OF SAID HEAD.